The magic compound is a substance called piceatannol, which works by blocking the insulin from activating the genes that allow the growth of fat cells.

"In the presence of piceatannol you can see delay or complete inhibition of young fat cells," said Dr Kee-Hong Kim, lead researcher and assistant professor of food science at the university.

"Piceatannol alters the timing of gene expressions, gene functions and insulin action during adipogenesis - the process in which young fat cells become mature fat cells."

Piceatannol is also found in grapes, blueberries and passionfruit, and has a similar compound structure to a substance called resveratrol, which is widely sold in supplement form to assist with blood-sugar regulation and promote cardiac and skin health.

"We are now testing our idea using animal model obesity to see if it has the same beneficial functions," said Kim.

"We need to work on improving the stability and solubility of piceatannol to create a biological effect."